← IGCSE Computer Science Paper 2

Writing precise conditions (7c)

Write a condition with symbols such as >=, <> and =, not words. Age >= 18 is correct; 'Age is 18 or more' is not accepted. This applies in pseudocode and flowcharts.

Part of: IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 7c Pseudocode and Flowcharts — Module 16, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10 — Algorithms with Logical Operators — Module 3

Understanding Writing precise conditions (7c) in IGCSE Computer Science Paper 2

What it does: In a condition, = compares two values and the string literal is in double quotes. 'Name is Ali' in words is not accepted. Precision applies in flowcharts as well as pseudocode. The decision diamond should contain a condition such as Age >= 18, not 'Is the age 18 or more?'. Conditions must use symbols. >= means 'greater than or equal to', so Age >= 18 is accepted but 'Age is 18 or more' is not. Use the relational operator <> for 'not equal to'. Words like 'is not zero' are too vague and are not accepted. <= is the symbol for 'less than or equal to'. Use it instead of describing the comparison in words.

Common mistakes: The condition is written in words. Exam answers must use symbols, so it should be IF Age >= 18 THEN. A range check must be written precisely with relational and logical operators. It should be UNTIL Mark >= 0 AND Mark <= 100.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 146–155) and word search (Modules 146–165).

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Learning
Duo
Which condition is written precisely enough to earn the mark in an IGCSE answer?
IF Age >= 18 THENIF Age is 18 or more THEN
Matches
IF Age is 18 or more THEN
↓
The condition is written in words. It should use a symbol: IF Age >= 18 THEN.
Applying
Meanings
Term
Age >= 18
Meaning
Write a condition with symbols such as >=, <> and =, not words. Age >= 18 is correct; 'Age is 18 or more' is not accepted. This applies in pseudocode and flowcharts.
Practice
INPUT Age
Testing
Gaps
IF Age 18 THEN
Check Answer
Spots
2INPUT Age
3IF Age is 18 or more THEN

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Quick Questions

1. Which condition is written precisely enough to earn the mark in an IGCSE answer?
A. IF Age >= 18 THEN ✓
B. IF Age is 18 or more THEN
Conditions must use symbols. >= means 'greater than or equal to', so Age >= 18 is accepted but 'Age is 18 or more' is not.
2. Which condition correctly tests that Mark is not zero?
A. Mark is not zero
B. Mark <> 0 ✓
Use the relational operator <> for 'not equal to'. Words like 'is not zero' are too vague and are not accepted.
3. Which condition correctly checks that Name is Ali?
A. Name = "Ali" ✓
B. Name is Ali
Use = to compare and put the text literal in double quotes. 'Name is Ali' is English, not a pseudocode condition.
4. A decision diamond in a flowchart needs a condition. Which should be written inside it?
A. Score > 50 ✓
B. Is the score greater than 50?
Precision applies in flowcharts too. Write the condition with symbols inside the decision symbol, such as Score > 50.
5. True or false: 'x is greater than y' is accepted as a condition in pseudocode.
A. True
B. False ✓
A condition must be written with symbols, so x > y is correct. Words in place of symbols are not accepted.

Match the Pairs

Age >= 18 → A precise condition that is true when Age is 18 or more
Mark <> 0 → A precise condition that is true when Mark is not zero
To test whether a name is Ali, use the = symbol with the text in double quotes, not words → Name = "Ali"
A decision in a flowchart must also hold a symbol condition, not a sentence → Age >= 18 ?
IF Age is 18 or more THEN → The condition is written in words. It should use a symbol: IF Age >= 18 THEN.
IF Mark is not zero THEN → The condition is written in words. It should be IF Mark <> 0 THEN, using the not equal symbol.

Key Term

Age >= 18
Write a condition with symbols such as >=, <> and =, not words. Age >= 18 is correct; 'Age is 18 or more' is not accepted. This applies in pseudocode and flowcharts.

Fill in the Blanks

1. IF Age >= 18 THEN OUTPUT "Adult" ENDIF
Hint: Type the symbol for 'greater than or equal to'. Write it as a symbol, not as words.
2. IF Mark <> 0 THEN OUTPUT "Has a mark" ENDIF
Hint: Type the two-character symbol that means 'not equal to'.
3. IF Name = "Ali" THEN OUTPUT "Hello Ali" ENDIF
Hint: Type the symbol that compares two values to see if they are equal.
4. Flowchart decision diamond: Age < 18 ?
Hint: Type the symbol for 'less than'. Flowchart decisions need precise symbols too.
5. IF Age >= 18 AND Age <= 65 THEN
Hint: Type the logical keyword that joins two conditions so both must be true.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A OUTPUT "Enter age"
B INPUT Age
C IF Age is 18 or more THEN
D OUTPUT "Adult"
E ENDIF
Line C — The condition is written in words. Exam answers must use symbols, so it should be IF Age >= 18 THEN.
Question 2
A DECLARE Mark : INTEGER
B REPEAT
C INPUT Mark
D UNTIL Mark is from 0 to 100
Line D — A range check must be written precisely with relational and logical operators. It should be UNTIL Mark >= 0 AND Mark <= 100.
Question 3
A INPUT Mark
B Total ← 100
C IF Mark is not zero THEN
D Average ← Total / Mark
E ENDIF
Line C — 'is not zero' is words, not a precise condition. Use the not-equal symbol: IF Mark <> 0 THEN.
Question 4
A INPUT Name
B IF Name is Ali THEN
C OUTPUT "Welcome back"
D ENDIF
Line B — Text must be compared with the = symbol and the literal must be in double quotes. It should be IF Name = "Ali" THEN.
Question 5
A WHILE Count is below 10 DO
B Count ← Count + 1
C ENDWHILE
Line A — A loop condition must use symbols, not words. It should be WHILE Count < 10 DO.

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